Buffalo Lake is a freshwater lake located in the Dehcho region of the Northwest Territories, Canada, at approximately 60°13′N 115°30′W. It sits within the Taiga Plains ecozone adjacent to Wood Buffalo National Park, surrounded by flat terrain characterized by peat plateaus, fens, marshes, and mixed coniferous forests dominated by black spruce, white spruce, and jack pine. The lake lies within the Ejié Túé Ndáde candidate protected area — known in English as Buffalo Lake, River and Trails — which encompasses roughly 2,180 km² in the southeastern corner of the Dehcho region, including the western portion of the lake, the Buffalo River, and extensive wetland complexes.

The primary paddling route associated with Buffalo Lake is the Buffalo River, which drains the lake and runs approximately 80 km through Wood Buffalo National Park. The water moves quickly but presents no serious rapids or portages, making it accessible to paddlers seeking a remote wilderness experience without technical whitewater challenges. Because the route passes through a National Park, motorboats are prohibited and permits are required before launching.

Access to the lake is primarily via NWT Highway 6, which leads to Little Buffalo Crossing Territorial Park, located 20 km south of Fort Resolution. From there, paddlers can travel by boat along the Little Buffalo River toward the Buffalo River. Floatplane services from Hay River also provide direct access to the lake interior; a flight for two people costs approximately $300 CAD through local operators. The take-out for the Buffalo River trip is at the bridge on Highway 5, approximately 55 km west of Hay River. Paddlers wishing to extend the trip can continue from the river's end to Great Slave Lake and follow the shoreline west back to Hay River.

The surrounding wetland complexes support abundant migratory birds and waterfowl, making birdwatching a natural complement to paddling. The river corridor is habitat for moose, caribou, bear, beaver, and muskrat. Fishing for walleye (pickerel), pike, and grayling is available along the route. Topographic maps useful for trip planning include NTS 1:250,000 sheet 85B (Buffalo Lake) and 1:50,000 sheets 85 B/6, 85 B/10, and 85 B/11.